Normal service has been resumed for PlayStation 3 users after around 30 million machines around the world were rendered unusable after a major bug reared its head.

The problem prevented users from accessing the PlayStation Network and playing most games after the machine’s internal clock had problems switching dates from February 28th to March 1st, with February 29th not existing this year.

Dubbed the Apocalypse3, the bug affected all PS3 consoles bought before September 1st 2009, which are characterised by a ‘fat’ shape.

Although Sony was not required to intervene with the problem, it is expected to now release an automatic software update which will prevent the same glitch from happening again in 2014, the next time that there is an even-numbered non-leap year.

The issue was a similar one to which Microsoft’s Zune media player had on December 31st 2008, with the technology giant advising users to stop using the product for 24 hours.

Normal service has been resumed for PlayStation 3 users after around 30 million machines around the world were rendered unusable after a major bug reared its head.

The problem prevented users from accessing the PlayStation Network and playing most games after the machine’s internal clock had problems switching dates from February 28th to March 1st, with February 29th not existing this year.

Dubbed the Apocalypse3, the bug affected all PS3 consoles bought before September 1st 2009, which are characterised by a ‘fat’ shape.

Although Sony was not required to intervene with the problem, it is expected to now release an automatic software update which will prevent the same glitch from happening again in 2014, the next time that there is an even-numbered non-leap year.

The issue was a similar one to which Microsoft’s Zune media player had on December 31st 2008, with the technology giant advising users to stop using the product for 24 hours.

The next Splinter Cell title might be given PS3 exclusivity, according to the creative director of its upcoming series Conviction.

Splinter Cell Conviction is set to launch on the PC and Xbox 360 next month, and a similar deal could be put in place between Sony and the game’s publisher Ubisoft for the next game.

Max Beland, from Ubisoft Montreal, told Edge magazine: "I don’t see why it wouldn’t. I’m not involved in the business deals. I joined Splinter Cell after the exclusivity deal with Microsoft had already been signed, but there’s no reason why Splinter Cell couldn’t be on the PS3. Conviction? No, because of the exclusivity deal."

Mr Beland’s comments come after PS3 exclusive Heavy Rain stormed to the top of the UK gaming charts, with the title selling so well that it is now low on stock across the country.

Heavy Rain has pushed last week’s number one Alien vs Predator into second spot, with Just Dance in third.

The next Splinter Cell title might be given PS3 exclusivity, according to the creative director of its upcoming series Conviction.

Splinter Cell Conviction is set to launch on the PC and Xbox 360 next month, and a similar deal could be put in place between Sony and the game’s publisher Ubisoft for the next game.

Max Beland, from Ubisoft Montreal, told Edge magazine: "I don’t see why it wouldn’t. I’m not involved in the business deals. I joined Splinter Cell after the exclusivity deal with Microsoft had already been signed, but there’s no reason why Splinter Cell couldn’t be on the PS3. Conviction? No, because of the exclusivity deal."

Mr Beland’s comments come after PS3 exclusive Heavy Rain stormed to the top of the UK gaming charts, with the title selling so well that it is now low on stock across the country.

Heavy Rain has pushed last week’s number one Alien vs Predator into second spot, with Just Dance in third.

People recovering from a stroke can help improve their rehabilitation by using the Nintendo Wii, according to a new study.

The American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2010 revealed research suggesting that playing virtual reality games with the wireless console system could improve their motor function.

Researchers found that people recovering from a stroke who played Wii Tennis and Cooking Mama could demonstrate "significant" improvements in speed.

While no one is quite sure why computer gaming has proved so successful in these trials, it is believed that the "fun" element should not be discarded.

Gustavo Saposnik, director of the Stroke Outcomes Research Unit at the Li Ka Shing Institute at St Michael’s Hospice and lead investigator of the study, said: "This is the first randomised clinical study showing that virtual reality using Wii gaming technology is feasible and safe and is potentially effective in enhancing motor function following a stroke."

The Wii is also known to have other benefits, with gamers using it to help improve their fitness levels.

People recovering from a stroke can help improve their rehabilitation by using the Nintendo Wii, according to a new study.

The American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2010 revealed research suggesting that playing virtual reality games with the wireless console system could improve their motor function.

Researchers found that people recovering from a stroke who played Wii Tennis and Cooking Mama could demonstrate "significant" improvements in speed.

While no one is quite sure why computer gaming has proved so successful in these trials, it is believed that the "fun" element should not be discarded.

Gustavo Saposnik, director of the Stroke Outcomes Research Unit at the Li Ka Shing Institute at St Michael’s Hospice and lead investigator of the study, said: "This is the first randomised clinical study showing that virtual reality using Wii gaming technology is feasible and safe and is potentially effective in enhancing motor function following a stroke."

The Wii is also known to have other benefits, with gamers using it to help improve their fitness levels.

Gaming fans can complement their current exercise regime by using the Nintendo Wii, according to an expert.

Michelle Pertzborn, a clinical exercise psychologist at St Mary’s in the US, said while it might take more than a few sessions on the console to see weight loss results, it makes a great addition to a keep-fit regime.

"You’re burning calories. You’re increasing your energy expenditure, so you are getting some benefit from that," she added.

Mother of two Julie Botham told the source that the games console has helped her get off the sofa, trading thumb exercises on other consoles for movement.

"I’ve been wanting to get more into the yoga-type stuff, and instead of joining a class and spending money I said, ‘well, this works’. So we got this instead," she said.

Earlier this month, the News of the World reported that Lara Roberts, 38, lost eight stone by incorporating the Wii into her exercise regime.

Gaming fans on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are set to make a new war game one of the most downloaded demos ever.

Proving the popularity of both consoles’ ability to download game trials before buying the real thing, Electronic Arts has revealed that its forthcoming title Battlefield: Bad Company 2 has now been downloaded more than 3.5 million times.

These figures mean that the game is bound to be a worthy contender to challenge Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which became one of the biggest selling titles ever last year.

On Electronic Arts’ official Twitter feed, it confirmed the number of downloads so far, adding that it will be released on March 5th.

Previewing the title, Gamezone.com said that its time with the demo was "definitely a positive experience", adding that the title is one to keep an eye out for when it launches early next month.

One of the most respected gaming websites in the world has said that the latest Assassin’s Creed release is worthy of greatness.

David Clayman, reviewing Assassin’s Creed II for IGN.com, said that it is a sequel which triumphs over the original in every possible way.

"The plot of Assassin’s Creed pulls together a bit of The Matrix, a lot of historical fiction and throws in elements of the madcap conspiracy theories found in a Dan Brown novel," he said.

Mr Clayman added that thanks to a number of tweaks which have been made between the release of the two games, it has been transformed from a "middling action game into an intriguing and consistently entertaining" open-world adventure.

In his review, presentation and sound come in for the biggest praise, with the expert stating that the music sets the tone and helps to evoke emotion throughout.

Assassin’s Creed II is currently available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC and Nintendo DS.

The Nintendo DS has become the firm’s highest selling product ever, according to new figures.

More than 125 million of the handheld games machines have now been sold, overtaking the GameBoy series which sold around 118 million units.

The sales of the DS include the whole series, which has evolved from the DS Phat to the Lite, DSi and the new DSi XL.

It was also revealed that as of December 2009, Nintendo had sold 67 million Wii consoles, making it the firm’s best-selling home console, ahead of the iconic NES.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, told delegates at a recent conference: "Needless to say, these are just two milestones of a larger journey in our efforts to reach the ultimate goal of bringing one home console for every household and one handheld for everyone."

Next month, the Nintendo DSi XL goes on sale in the UK, featuring two 4.2 inch screens which are 93 per cent bigger than the displays on the Lite handheld.